My CP’s debut book, In A Treacherous Court by Michelle Diener, is available early on Amazon. I’ve been telling my friends about this book for over a year. She’s such a good writer. It’s a historical suspense, and she brings the characters to life. Target picked it up for its Emerging Author Program. She’s already getting rave reviews, and I’m sure there will be many more. Here’s the blurb:

Henry VIII’s most lethal courtier and his newly appointed artist become the only thing keeping him on the throne – and if they survive, neither will ever be the same.

John Parker is one of Henry VIII most useful courtiers — utterly merciless and completely loyal. But one small favour for his King will pull Parker into a deadly plot against the throne, one that will test his courage, his resolve, and most especially, his heart.

A commission from Henry VIII should have been the crowning achievement of Susanna Horenbout’s career, but before the beautiful and talented artist even sets foot in England, she finds herself in possession of a secret that could change its history. With Parker as her only protection against killers who will stop at nothing to silence her, Susanna has to trust the dangerous, enigmatic courtier. She’s used to fighting in a man’s world, but she never expected to be fighting for her life.

Here’s what people have been saying about it:

“IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is an action-adventure-mystery-historical that grabs the reader on page one and doesn’t let go. It reminds me of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE in the way it captures the “feel” of Tudor England, moving with equal aplomb from royal palace to refuse-clogged London street to leaky rowboat on the Thames.” Kate Emerson (Author of BY ROYAL DECREE: Secrets of the Tudor Court)

“Awesome! History woven flawlessly into riveting fiction.” Tammy J. Schneider (Special Features Editor and book reviewer at “Affaire de Coeur” magazine)

“Just when readers think there is nothing new to be learned about Henry VIII, debut author Diener delivers a taut suspense . . . that will keep you turning the pages.” Kathe Robin (4 star review in RT Magazine August 2011 issue)

I read this book and two of the sequels, and I know they’re going to be on the favorite lists of many readers. It’s 1/3 off at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can find the Buy Links at Michelle’s book page.

My most exciting thing going on is that I published my fourth book, Galaxy Girls. You can read the excerpt and blurb here, but I’m making the BIG announcement (with giveaways!!!) at Magical Musings tomorrow (Monday, the 18th). So all I’ll say now is this might be my favorite book so far (though Cattitude will always have a special place in my heart).

My other good thing is that I did an interview with Michelle at Indie Paranormal Book Reviews on her Whatcha Reading? column, in which she spotlights Galaxy Girls. She asked great questions, so if you want to know more, that’s where to go. Here’s a sample of one of her questions and my answer:

What sets Galaxy Girls apart from other books in the genre?

I came at it as a hybrid book from the beginning. A paranormal with a strong quartet of women. Five if I count Birdie, the heroine’s five-year-old daughter. It feels like there are a lot of paranormals with teams of men characters and very few with women. I think a lot of readers are ready for books about Phyrne and her family members.

This doesn’t mean I shortchange the men. The hero has allies, too: a female FBI agent he’d worked with in the past; a newbie agent he’s teamed with at the Foundation, a non-government shadow agency that hunts down aliens; and the Foundation’s director, a physically and emotionally damaged man who only shows tenderness to the dogs he rescues.

And one of my favorite characters in the book is a Kergeron warrior sent to bring the Galaxy women back to Kergeron.

One more good thing. Danielle at Coffee Time Romance & More gave Dragon Blues a steaming 5-cup review. I won’t quote the entire review, just this:

I absolutely loved Dragon Blues! The emotional push and pull that Lila and Noah felt time and again sucks you right into their sweltering attraction and dangerous journey. Edie Ramer has written a tale that includes a man who is a very powerful alpha male dragon but has a side that is as cuddly as a bear. Lila is a woman I would love to have beside me as a friend and warrior but who would terrify me if she were my enemy. This story rocks and you cannot go wrong by reading this sexy paranormal tale.

Tomorrow my post on How To Promote Your Books on Goodreads should be on the How To Write Shop. The site is changing hosts, and they’re not sure when it will happen. It might go dark for a day or two, but I’ve been assured that everything will be up again within a day or two.

On the personal front, things are going well. I made a shrimp and angel hair pasta dish last night that was delicious. Today we’re going to see Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. We decided to see the latest Harry Potter show in a week or two. It’s hot here, so the dogs aren’t getting their walks. I feel bad for them, but not bad enough to walk them in the heat.

One of the best things about being a writer is that you meet so many other authors who write great books. One of them is Dana Taylor, who is also a healer, which is very cool. I read and enjoyed Ain’t Love Grand? and I’m happy to share an excerpt with you – and to give away an ecopy to a commenter! I’ll announce the winner here on Thursday.

The Healer vs. the Lawyer. Energy healer, Persephone Jones, has a new neighbor in Peeler, Oklahoma—hot shot lawyer, Jason Brooks. She’s a vegan; he likes his steaks rare. She’s about saving Mother Earth while he protects the interests of Big Business. Their attraction is mutual, but disturbing. And life gets even more complicated when the whole town is caught in a conflict that pits these two on opposite sides of a political fence….Foreword Magazine says AIN’T LOVE GRAND? is “written with a fresh voice, an impeccable sense of comedic timing, vivid narrative, and fascinating characters.”

Setting: Peeler, Oklahoma. Big city lawyer, Jason Brooks, has just moved next door to herbalist, Persephone Jones, with his mother and daughter.

Scene set-up: Jason’s mother wandered to Perse’s house for a neighborly visit and helped herself to a little too much wine.

Trotting in his direction, I hollered, “Mr. Brooks! I need to talk to you.” I gasped for breath.

He nodded to his mechanic and headed in my direction with a kind of John Wayne thing going in his walk. Suddenly, I felt self-conscious of my ratty clothes and wild hair.

I stopped about three feet in front of him, panting, pushing curls out of my face. He gave me an amused grin. “Good evening, Ms. Jones. Is this a social call?”

“It’s your mother…” gasp, pant, gasp.

His expression changed instantly to one of concern. “Oh, God, what now?”

“She’s alright. She’s at my house. Asleep, sort of. She came over for a visit, and I was cleaning the kitchen and she asked for a glass of wine and…”

Without waiting for further explanation, he struck out for my property. I ran beside him to keep up.

He shot me a disgruntled look. “How much did you let her have?”

“I only poured her one glass. But evidently, she poured herself a few more.”

“She’s an elderly, frail woman taking a medicine cabinet full of drugs. Do you know what alcohol does to her?”

“Well, I do now. She caught me unawares, and then she started crying and telling me how you gave away all her things. She was just so unhappy. How could you sell everything out from under her like that?”

He stopped in his tracks and towered over me. “Not that it’s any of your business, but did she mention the fire?”

I backed up a little. “Well, yes, she did mention a small kitchen fire.”

He reared back his head and laughed. “Yeah, it started in the kitchen but spread to three more rooms before they got it out. What didn’t burn was either smoke or water damaged. Did she mention that?”

Chagrin crept over me. “Actually, no. I guess she doesn’t have a clear grasp of the facts.”

He started moving again. “My mother doesn’t have a clear grasp of reality, especially when she’s sauced.”

We ran the rest of the way home, and I kept my mouth shut. He headed up my porch steps, yanked open the screen door, and then turned to me in disgust. “I’d think someone who supposedly helps the public stay healthy would know better than to tank up a seventy-five year old woman.”

I crossed my arms in a defensive stance. “I did not tank her up. She arrived uninvited and requested alcohol. I was trying to be a polite hostess.”

He stood over her, hands fisted on hips, shaking his head sadly. “I hate the thought of having to put her in a nursing home some day.”

Okay, he got me with that one. I melted and sighed. “If you’ll carry her to my truck, I’ll take you both home.”

He nodded. “Yes, I guess that’s the most practical course of action.” He reached down for her. “Come on Mama, time to go home.”

Praise for Ain’t Love Grand?

Dana Taylor is a fabulous new author who has written a laugh-out loud romance between a hero and heroine who are so different from each other, yet still manage to fall in love. This is comedy at its best. The plot is strong, and you can’t help but become engrossed in the daily lives of Persephone and Jason. You just know they are meant to be together. AIN’T LOVE GRAND? is a wonderful story that you surely will not want to miss. -Robin Reo Romance Reviews Today

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Dana Taylor writes stories with a mystical touch. Her work as an energy healer influences her tales of flawed humans seeking spiritual and emotional healing. Born and raised in California, she graduated from the University of Redlands. She has been published in various magazines, including the Ladies Home Journal. She hosted the Internet radio program Definitely Dana! at HealthyLife.net. and won various contests with the Romance Writers of America, including Best First Book from the Desert Quill Awards. Her published works include AIN’T LOVE GRAND?, SHINY GREEN SHOES, and DEVIL MOON: A MYSTIC ROMANCE. Her latest release is a spiritual memoir entitled EVER-FLOWING STREAMS: CHRIST, REIKI, REINCARNATION & ME. Her blogsite is www. DefinitelyDana.wordpress.com. She is a founding member of the on-line community SupernalFriends.com and can be reached at supernalfriends@yahoo.com.